Meet the Team

Innokenty Belov was born in Moscow, Russia in 1976. His family moved to the United States when he was five years old, and at 17 he was introduced to the world of ocean fishing in Florida. After moving to San Francisco in 1996, he left a career in professional photography to develop a new concept in environmentalism—a socially responsible restaurant with a soul focus on sustainability.

As a second generation fisherman from both sides of his family, Rocky Burns has had a life-long connection with the ocean and the fishing community. At the age of 23 he took the helm of his family’s fishing vessel to become one of the youngest crab boat captains on the West Coast. In 2012 his passion for sustainable food systems and commitment to the longevity of the fishing industry led him off the boat and into the TwoXSea family. Rocky now works with honest fishermen up and down the West Coast to procure the highest quality, sustainably caught, seafood. He believes in a “quality over quantity” approach to harvesting, as emulated by each fisherman he works with, and brings that passion to the table of every TwoXSea customer. When not on the road, Rocky can be found surfing or spending time with his beautiful daughter Kadence.

After 10 years working in various public schools and homeless shelters in Boston, Mass and Columbus, Ohio, Ben moved to the Bay Area with hopes of continuing to improve our planet. While still passionate about social justice, his curiosity in environmental justice turned into his true passion once introduced to TwoXSea. Providing the freshest seafood possible and keeping our oceans safe are what drives Ben daily. Ben lives in East Oakland and volunteer teaches at Elmhurst Community Prep, which he insists is the best middle school in the Bay Area.

Melanie joined TwoXSea from working in Washington, DC on fisheries policy and management at conservation and sportsmen organizations. Her passion for healthy, sustainable, locally sourced food began in high school while learning about the little-known yet alarming secrets of American meat production. Her passion for food systems and natural resources matured through college and led to earning a master’s degree in Biology and Society from Arizona State University where she examined the social and ecological factors involved in international management of the oceans. With TwoXSea Melanie builds external partnerships with the purpose of driving market awareness and sales. During off-hours, you’ll find Melanie on her bike, rock climbing, cooking with her better half, and exploring the place she now calls home – the Bay Area.

Living and cooking professionally in San Francisco since 2000 exposed Lauren to the unequaled bounty that San Francisco has to offer. High standards and a desire for honesty lead her to purchase seafood from TwoXSea, and after years of butchering and cooking beautiful McFarland Springs Trout, Lauren’s passions shifted to learn more about the sustainable seafood industry. In 2014 she was driven to put her talents and experience to work for TwoXSea. In Fall of 2015 Lauren moved to Portland, OR to continue her dedication to TwoXSea and to offer awesome seafood to the people of Portland. After a long day Lauren enjoys drinking rosé in the sunshine, or the rain, or the fog…. Her goals are to always learn and be challenged, continue to work with people she respects, and forever love what she does.